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Pawnee on the whole will feel a little bit emptier without Ann Perkins and Chris Trager, but there are two residents of the sleepy Indiana town who be feel particularly sad to see the expectant parents go: Leslie and Ben. After Rashida Jones and Rob Lowe bid their farewells to Parks and Recreation on this week's episode, we'll be seeing the show try every trick in the book to keep Ms. Knope and Mr. Wyatt from spiraling into a state of bestfriendless insanity. We've seen Leslie and Ann's relationship blossom from the early days of perplexed annoyance to unremitting love, and we've reveled in the established Ben/Chris camaraderie that never made much sense but always felt authentic. Luckily, we've seen Leslie and Ben explore plenty of other terrific friendships over these past seven years, but if we had to pick a favorite pairing for each...
LESLIE AND...
6. JERRY: To be honest, we're a little over the whole "dump on Jerry" routine. Stop changing his name, at the very least.
5. TOM: Some laughs here and there, but there hasn't been enough evolution with the hypercompetent boss/slacker right-hand-man shtick to keep it fresh.
4. ANDY: Leslie and Andy had an fun rapport in the early days, with Leslie taking Andy under her wing and turning his life around, but their stories have been few and far between lately. Plus, they might be a little too compatible to be truly interesting as a pair.
3. DONNA: Leslie and Donna are from two entirely different worlds, to the point where Leslie is bewildered by a great deal of the things that Donna says and does. The fact that they maintain a warm chemistry despite this makes for a terrific, albeit underdeveloped, relationship.
2. APRIL: Call it big sister/little sister, or probably more accurately sprightly math tutor/underachieving ninth grader who secretly envies the former's drive even if she might skip out early to smoke cigarettes behind the laundromat. Either way, there's something extremely heartwarming about the Leslie/April dynamic (and if you disagree, watch the Season 3 episode "Fancy Party," wherein April admits, softly, that she loves her boss and role model).
1. RON: The big guns. The oddest coupling of the lot is the greatest friendship on the show, save maybe for Leslie and Ann. The eternally frowning Ron has doled out fatherly advice to the anxious Leslie, in turn receiving the sort of compassion to which he was never treated by his parents or wives. Although only one of them would ever admit it, Leslie and Ron love, need, and complete each other in a very special way, and it's always touching to see them exemplify that.
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BEN AND...
6. DONNA: I guess I like when she calls him "Wyatt," but there's not much going on there.
5. JERRY: Ben might actually be the only person who shows Jerry any semblance of kindness, so he gets a point for that. Still uninteresting though.
4. ANDY: Yeah, they have their moments, but whereas some odd couplings on this show derive comedy and charm from a place of unexpected internal similarities, Andy and Ben are really just a giant happy-go-lucky goofball and an uptight cynic forced to band together on occasion. Not a lot of terrific work has been done with the pairing.
3. RON: What's kind of wonderful about this one is that we still get the feeling that Ben is terrified of Ron. He has no reason to be, and does showcase a lot of respect and appreciation for Ron, but it's hilarious nonetheless. Plus, there's also the tacit understanding that Ron has deemed Ben the only person good enough for his pal Leslie... so there's that nice bit, too.
2. APRIL: Another silver medal for April! Though their rapport might be a little bit contentious, you get the sense that April and Ben enjoy a tacit bond over the shared knowledge that they are smarter than nearly everybody else around them. There's a mutual respect there... even if it's buried under a jungle of barbs (mostly in one direction).
1. TOM: Far too underused, the Tom/Ben dynamic we saw flourish at the end of Season 3 is a personal favorite. Both "outsiders" who don't quite feel at home in Pawnee, both acutely in tune with their own respective subcultures, and both men of meager stature (we have to stick together, you know). Few interractions are funnier or more charming than Ben and Tom defending their respective outfits
But how could we not devote a little valediction to...
2. BEN AND CHRIS: Two weirdoes forced to travel the world (or Indiana) together, complementing one anothers' signature style and bonding over their shared social ineptitude. While Ben and Chris might not always seem to be sensible pals, we've seen each of them come through for the other, and we can actually feel the longstanding friendship they've shared since before we met either of them.
1. LESLIE AND ANN: Here it is, people. A story that began in the pilot, closing now as Ann heads off to have her baby in Bloomington. Leslie and Ann aren't quite the odd couple that Leslie and Ron or Ben and Tom are, but that doesn't make them any less interesting. Since we met her, Ann has been someone on a quest to figure herself out. Someone who fit in everywhere she went, but who never really knew who she was. On the other hand, we have Leslie: someone who knows exactly who she is, but who doesn't seem to belong anywhere. It's really meaningful that the two women met due to a pit that needed filling, because that is exactly what they did for each other. Internally. Like, in an emotional way. Does that metaphor work? Ah, who cares. We'll miss you, Ann. But not as much as Leslie will.
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Even when Amy Poehler is being a terrible role model to the multitudes of young men and women who look up to her, she still tops Hollywood's list of wonders. Earlier this month, the world was hit with the asteroid-sized news that Poehler and husband Will Arnett were splitting up — a revelation that left us at a loss for words, then driven to drink, and finally forced to conjure up crazy conspiracy theories to make sense of it all.
Ever since, we've held onto the impending fifth season of Parks and Recreation (which begins Thursday night) to keep our spirits high. But in the meantime, we're treated to Poehler's delightful Wednesday night appearance on The Tonight Show to remind us why we are staunchly and eternally in her camp. Poehler paid a visit to Jay Leno to tease a few elements of the Washington D.C.-set season premiere of Parks: Leslie Knope and her beloved Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) will high-tail it to the nation's capital for the latter's new job as a senatorial campaign manager, and Poehler shared a clip that features an impressive guest star.
But beyond the chat on her acclaimed NBC sitcom, Poehler also decided to make a point about smoking. "I don't smoke, but l do think it looks cool," Poehler affirmed, before lighting up on set and effectively driving a stake right into the hearts of all the healthy-minded citizens who always hoped that was just a myth. Just to bring the point home, she added, "Smoking makes you look cool, and girls like it."
Obviously, it was all just a shtick that Poehler and Leno had planned for laughs — Chris Treager would never allow Leslie Knope to publicly endorse such a microchip-compromising antic as smoking. Still, the interview in entirety was a hearty reminder of why we love this women. Check out both parts below, and catch Parks and Recreation Thursday night at 9:30 PM.
[Photo Credit: NBC]
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Why does politics have to be so nasty? And we're not even talking about the candidates.
According to Entertainment Weekly, everyone's favorite alternative band R.E.M. has issued a cease-and-desist letter to FOX News after the political channel played one of their songs during coverage of the Democratic National Convention.
Michael Stipe, lead singer of the band — who split up one year ago — said in a statement about the network's use of their 1991 hit, "Losing My Religion," "We have little or no respect for their puff adder brand of reportage. Our music does not belong there."
A spokesperson for FOX News says they are "in full accordance with its licensing agreements with all appropriate parties. Nevertheless, we're always flattered to have this much attention for a song selection and we hope R.E.M. was able to satisfy their publicity fix."
[Photo Credit: WENN.com]
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Say what you will about Clint Eastwood's Republican National Convention chair debacle, but the fact that you're saying anything about it does prove something: the man knows how to put on a show. Even when he hasn't had much time to rehearse. The time honored actor/director spoke to The Carmel Pine Cone, a local paper in the Monterey Peninsula of Calif., about the hot topic of the RNC speech he delivered on Thursday, Aug. 30. As Clint tells the publication, "They vet most of the people," referring to the Convention's process of determining what a speaker will say before he or she heads on stage. "But I told them, ‘You can’t do that with me, because I don’t know what I’m going to say.'"
Apparently, Eastwood's entire bit, wherein he addressed an invisible Barack Obama in an empty chair placed onstage next to him, was made up right before he went out to speak. "I got to the convention site just 15 or 20 minutes before I was scheduled to go on," Eastwood states. "When I saw the stool sitting there, it gave me the idea. I’ll just put the stool out there and I’ll talk to Mr. Obama and ask him why he didn’t keep all of the promises he made to everybody."
Despite the backlash Eastwood has received, he seems to be satisfied with his speech. "I had three points I wanted to make,” he says. “That not everybody in Hollywood is on the left, that Obama has broken a lot of the promises he made when he took office, and that the people should feel free to get rid of any politician who’s not doing a good job. But I didn’t make up my mind exactly what I was going to say until I said it."
In reference to the crowd at the RNC, Eastwood adds, "They really seemed to be enjoying themselves."
[Photo Credit: WENN]
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If you're like me, you know a good government conspiracy when you see one. And this one's a doozy: it reaches as high as the White House and spans all the way down to the Parks Department in Pawnee, Ind. And if you caught Vice President Joe Biden's speech at the Democratic National Convention last night, you might already have an inkling of what's going on.
The Internet has been all over Biden for his excessive misuse of the word "literally" in his Thursday night speech: the VP spouted the word a count of eight times, many or all of them incorrectly — in place of the word's antonym, "figuratively." (Doing so also inadvertently called attention to this syntactical epidemic facing the majority of young Americans today. The More You Know.) And while this seemed like nothing more than a mistake on the part of Biden, we know the truth. Biden wasn't accidentally fumbling over his diction, he was quite deliberately channeling another member of the public sector known for his fixation on the word "literally": Chris Traeger, acting City Manager of Pawnee, Ind... on the television show Parks and Recreation.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Why on Earth would Joe Biden want to assume the identity of Rob Lowe's eccentrically enthusiastic health-freak on Parks?" Well, here's the idea — maybe he's trying to cover his bases in the event that President Barack Obama does not get reelected, and wants to prove to Parks producers that he can easily assume the role of Chris just in case something "unfortunate" should happen to Mr. Lowe... this is the government we're talking about after all. But why Parks? Why on Earth would Joe Biden's backup plan be on an NBC sitcom? Well, it's not just a random NBC sitcom to Mr. Biden. It's one on which the VP is regularly mentioned... as Number One on the Celebrity Sex List of one Leslie Knope, played of course by series star Amy Poehler.
Interesting timing. See, it was Thursday afternoon that the Earth-shattering news broke that Poehler and her longtime husband Will Arnett would be splitting up. A devastating story to many. But perhaps not to Biden! Maybe he pulled the Chris Traeger shtick in order to earn himself a role on Parks, where he has noticed Poehler's character's adoration for him. Perhaps now that the comedic genius is on her way to being single, Biden has decided it would be the perfect opportunity to swoop in and win her heart — taking Arnett's place in her life, and effectively becoming... GOBiden!
And what better platform than the DNC? Biden, we know she's wonderful, but it's not the time!
It all ties together. Biden, Traeger, Lowe, Poehler, Arnett. It's all connected. We're all part of this. There is no escape.
Either that, or he just doesn't know what "literally" means. But it's more fun when you can involve Parks and Rec.
[Photo Credit: AP Images]
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It looks like Chris Traeger is literally... ready for anything. The Parks and Recreation star also known as Rob Lowe is reportedly in talks to play Liberace’s plastic surgeon in the film Behind The Candelabra, according to Deadline.
(Side note: The set design budget for this movie must be outrageous. Have you SEEN all of the many, shiny, glittery, gilded THINGS Liberace owned? Holy cats.)
For those unaware of the significance the role Liberace's plastic surgeon took in his life, let's school you in man's the weird and whimsical wiles. Liberace was so into himself that he made his lover/companion/limo driver/general plaything Scott Thorson get plastic surgery to look more like him. This included a nose job, the raising of his cheek bones, and a chin implant, all so Liberace could look at (and make out with) himself. To say nothing of Liberace's personal aesthetic enhancements. Yikes!
Steven Soderbergh is directing the film for HBO, which stars Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as his aforementioned live-in lover. It is said the movie is to discuss the tempestuous hush-hush relationship between the two men. Dan Aykroyd and Debbie Reynolds are also starring in the flick. First Magic Mike, now this, Soderbergh? You're killing us, man.
We have reached out for comment, but have yet to hear back.
[Photo Credit: Getty]
Follow Alicia on Twitter @alicialutes
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We enter on a road. Winding, deserted, it plunges deep into a dark and hazy wood. We race through, the darkness getting darker, and a dank chill takes over the air. After several minutes we have reached a clearing — a tall and creaky mansion. In the air, you hear faint giggles: a curious juxtaposition to the sadness that feels the air around.
This is the story of curious female and part-time manic pixie dream cartoon, Emily Maynard. Single mom to daughter Ricki, she was won and then lost by the rogue fizzy-lifting-drink maker Brad Womack. A mysterious sprite, she was the dream of every dude from former Bachelorette Ashley Hebert’s season. Emily, of glittery blonde hair and world's most annoying voice, is a woman with a dream, though — and she's a single mom whose fiancé died in a sad, sad story, so we can't make fun of her and America must de facto love her. A Ms. Havisham of our time.
She's 26. She spoils her daughter with chocolate chips and pancakes because — ha ha! — she is a real, down-home Amurrican mom. But every night as she climbs up the stairs, she hears the creak in the steps and realizes she's alone in the house that racing built. Her castle of sadness and broken dreams. A house so sad that she cannot leave it, in fear that it will swallow her Ricki whole — or at least drain her of her childhood innocence and joy.
She thought she had found the answer in that dastardly Brad Womack. You see, he had previously proposed, but, in a shocking twist not seen on TV, their romance did not last. She's a simple, wistful girl: engaged twice, married never. But her good fortune lies in her ability to be super-logical. Third time's the charm, America! She will find love on this show or she will die trying to keep it alive. Being engaged is special. Lucky for our fair Emily, she is granted a guide for this epic quest: the noble Chris Harrison, here to navigate the murky waters of love.
NEXT: The quiet before the storm
Emily, leaving her precious diamond child Ricki at home, is nervous but sparkly. Her Bumpit is high and her worries are nigh. In this kingdom, we take a shot every time someone says tragic. We’re up to three 30 minutes in. It is going to be a good night.
Emily hears the dull hum of the approaching limousines and her heart begins to race as she feels a stirring deep within her — it warms her from her heart to her tiny, shaky wrists and ankles "Babies! A minivan full of babies!" she cries, clasping her hands to her chest, her fragile bones clanking from the force of her joy. Imagine — a future for her home at last; enough babies to keep her Ricki’s happiness safe from the house that eats happiness. She will need those babies.
Chris, ever the intuitive guide, tells her to reel that s**t in because while these dudes are "here for her," and definitely not for the cameras, it doesn't mean she should lead with her deep, dark secret.
The problem is — we’re not going to meet any princes, Emily. We're going to meet 25 DUDES. The dudiest dudes to ever dude. Let’s meet this stone cold pack of kinderbros, shall we?
- Kalon is from Houston, Texas, and you know is just a total douchebag from second one. He "used" to be a total player. Those two popped collars say otherwise though. Bro.
- Ryan is from Augusta Georgia and already is the clear frontrunner. He teaches kids and is a good Southern boy with a cute dog. He also gives her a semi-endearing sign when he gets there and she is smitten kitten over him. It’s almost as if he was… made… for Emily… curious.
- Tony is from Beaverton, Ore. He sells wood and is a dad, too! (I'm sensing a theme here.) He has a flesh-colored soul patch that he borrowed from the land of SpencerPrattia, so there’s not much we can do with him.
- Lerone is from Los Angeles. A family man with a very tiny dog that loves the s**t out of MILFs.
- David is our token singer-songwriter from NYC. OF COURSE. Walking the mean streets of Manha — OH NO NOT A SONG ABOUT EMILY THIS IS TERRIBLE PLEASE MAKE IT STOP. Secondhand Embarrassment is a first-hand killer.
- Charlie is from Nashville, and also another clear frontrunner. He was in an accident and almost died, you guys. He broke a bunch of s**t and had a brain injury — and only then realized he wanted a family. The one thing he really has going for him is that his dog freaking RULES. I have no idea how he’s going to leave that pooch, until I realize how much this head injury might be to his rational thought process; "I may have had a head injury but there's nothing wrong with my heart!” A thought that only a bitter ABC writer could craft.
- Next up is hipster Jef. NO F, because there wasn’t enough room for his pompadour and that letter "f." He’s from Salt Lake and is the CEO of a bottled water company that builds wells for impoverished communities around the world. Oh and he skateboards because that is what every mature professional adultperson does. And it is a genetic fact that ladies can’t help but love a man on a skateboard — they just roll right into your heart!
NEXT: Opening old wounds
- OH GOOD ANOTHER RACER CAR DRIVER. I mean… Arie! His name is Arie and he’s from Scottsdale, Ariz., because the producers of this show lost their souls long ago and like to bring pain and tears to national television. (Fair Emily, ever the optimist, is reminded of her long-lost love, hopes to find the ghost of her old fiancé in this man’s bucket seats.)
Next we have the actual dudes entering the scene. We’ll run through them listicle-style because 90 percent of them will be gone in 20 minutes anyway.
There’s Sean from Dallas, Doug from Seattle (another single dad!), glorious male-parody Jackson the fitness model (we’d play a drinking game every time he showed his abs if he made it past tonight), and Joe the exuberant professional yeller from Los Angeles. He probably visits oxygen bars and drinks a lot of wheat grass and went to the Chris Traeger School of Emotions.
There’s Kyle from Long Beach, who feels like a party DJ from the local bar mitzvah circuit, and Chris (aka Mr. SUPERRELIGIOUS) who is both blessed and praying to God, and I’m just uncomfortable at this point. Aaron is a biology teacher who is also from Long Beach (the production team really couldn’t be assed to look all that far outside of Los Angeles County, huh?) and he has hipster glasses and (it hurts to type this) CHEMISTRY with Emily. Alessandro is clearly the token stoner dad that’s apparently Brazilian. I’m not sure what he’s doing on this show, though, because didn’t Girls get picked up for a second season? You guys, HE IS A GRAIN MERCHANT. I can’t.
Next up we have Stevie from JERSEY. His actual profession is allegedly Party MC, and I am convinced that Hollywood is contractually obligated to only cast the worst of the worst New Jersey stereotypes on everything. I have a personal obsession with Stevie, though, because he looks like this kid I used to hate in college, so clearly I hope he falls into the pool. I'm glad he stays on because I want to see everyone hate him when he causes all sorts of weird obsessive drama that is completely of his own making.
Charlie is next and he is so completely inoffensive I have nothing else to add. We should also note at this point that Tony the lumber trader shows up and pulls out a glass slipper! Because girls only like Disney movies! Oh my cod, the cheese right now. This one really hurts my soul, though, because it’s actually a brilliant move, as Emily was stitched together from the facets of other Disney queens from the past.
Next comes OH NO a dude in granny drag. Randy is from Hermosa Beach and is totally going to Norman Bates the s**t out of Emily. Where’s Harrison?!
Some ghost named Nate walked past and disappated through the walls, so we have nothing to say here other than he is blonde.
Brent is the resident Old Balls and from Fresno. Also I am just realizing now that nearly ever dudebro on this show has Brent’s haircut. They must all go to the same Supercuts. Also he has six children because… I have no idea why. That is so many children.
Next is John, a.k.a. "Wolf," and he actually admits that this is a nickname and has people write it on the screen of a national televised program. He is very orange so I suppose he doesn’t know any better.
NEXT: Guard and protect your egg.
Okay, let’s just get right to it: eggs are the new masks, you guys! Actually, Travis just thought that Emily was actually a bird that could sit and then hatch the mutant ostrich monster baby that he created while lost in The Bush in Australia. It was a cold and lonely time, but that Ostrich — her name was Melinda — kept him warm. She looked into his soul. She was shot for steaks the next day. Emily, with her puckish demeanor and squawking voice was the obvious choice to bring his bird-monster-love-baby into the world. Of course all the dudes are like WTF, Ostrich egg? But Travis doesn’t care — he knows there’s a chance for him, and a life just waiting to horrify beneath that shell.
Next is Fabio, erm, Michael from Austin, Texas. He gives Emily a guitar pick and probably dandruff shoulder. After him struts Jean-Paul, a.k.a. baby John Mayer.
Alejandro rolls up speaking Español and is laying it on so thick that my eyes have gotten stuck in the back of my head from rolling.
And last and definitely the least is Kalon (what the hell is that name, even?), showing up in a helicopter to make sure that everyone hates him. Stevie hates him because he can’t deal with someone being more loud and obnoxious than him. I can’t wait to find out that Kalon has, like, 17 girlfriends at home. He's the game-player who clearly either has another girlfriend at home or wants to become an actor. Everyone hates him so much, I'm dying laughing.
Spoiler alert: the first impression rose is actually a horcrux of Brad Womack’s. Emily has hidden them throughout the season and the men must find them to prove themselves worthy enough of the quest to destroy him (which is actually what happens at the end of the season. Not a marriage proposal. Spoiler alert!).
Chris shows up for his one-on-one time with a pair of bobbleheads to represent the two of them. Emily turns them into Voodoo dolls and with the kiss of the bobbleheads, Chris is now bound by mystical forces to follow Emily on her quest to destroy The Womack.
JEF H8S MATERIAL THINGS, YOU GUYS. Except for his skateboard. And probably his iPad. And definitely his espresso machine (hand-pulled, none of that automated crap. Duh). He looks like an extra from the Arcade Fire.
Doug is a single dad just like 99 percent of these dudes, but this unique snowflake decided to forge a letter from his son Austin for Emily. This, of course, reheats the blood running within Emily’s veins. Babies! Children! Doug gets the first impression rose for this.
Stevie (that dude I hate) is in SALES (of course). He knows fakery, because salesmen are the world's most honest humans and can smell fakery a mile away. He makes sure to do nothing but obsessively talk about every move Kalon makes because that always goes so well for people on these shows. Go dance on some tables to LMFAO, dude.
Arie actually does the smart thing and tells Emily he's a race car driver like her dead fiancé. I’m sure the producers were waiting for some drama, but Emily — blinded by how well their features would combined to make genetically superior tiny humans — tells him it doesn’t matter.
NEXT: The rose ceremony
So the obvious ones get roses. Sent home are Lerone (even Emily finds your MILF obsession creepy, dude), David, Jackson The Fitness Model (OH NO! Devastated), Randy (duh, Emily is not trying to end up living in the Bates Motel), Baby John Mayer, and Brent. Brent being the biggest surprise as he already comes with a minivan of babies, so I’m not sure what Emily was thinking there. Look at all the babies she could’ve had automatically! So many babies. Oh well, next time (only maybe not because Brent starts crying saying he’s going to die alone because he’s Old Balls &amp; has a small herd of children). Hang in there, bud.
I’m just glad Stevie made it through so I have someone to misplace all my anger on.
Emily whisks away towards her castle of tears and old engagements. She must check on fair Ricki. Make sure the house hasn’t eaten her soul yet. Not much longer now, dear house — and you will have your fill.
Follow Alicia on Twitter: @alicialutes
[Image Credit: ABC]
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S4E12: First, a heartfelt congratulations to Parks and Recreation for the way it is handling Leslie’s campaign for city council. As the season progresses, the show has taken to devoting stories more regularly to Leslie’s run for public office. The pattern is beginning to take a form such that each week, we’re seeing Leslie and her crack team take on another obstacle in the process of a political race. Now, this might seem like a risky habit to adopt: watching a group of underdogs battle bad luck and inexperience in the frequently hostile environment of their small-town setting could seem like it would get repetitive. But the thing about Leslie, and her coworkers—who are just as big a liability and a stressor to her as they are an aid, often—is that they are all such unbelievably dynamic characters that there is no foreseeable end to the entertainment value in watching them all interact, in large groups and in various smaller ones, and put their chaotic spin on any number of political situations.
Last week, Leslie launched her first major political event—which was endearingly ill-fated. This time around, in the episode “Campaign Ad,” we finally meet Leslie’s opponent: Bobby Newport, played by the most likable man in the world, Paul Rudd.
“I'm here with my Persian greyhound Raclette who was given to me by my buddy, the pretender to the crown of Alsace-Lorraine.” – Bobby Newport
Parks fans are likely familiar with Sweetums—the candy empire that reigns supreme in Pawnee, Indiana. Bobby Newport happens to be the son of Rick Newport, Sweetums president. And, in sitcom tradition, the raised-rich Bobby Newport is a self-entitled man-child. But he sure is a charmer. Pawnee loves him. He’s up seventy points in the polls. So, Leslie’s chief campaign strategist, Ben, decides they need to take the offensive and create an attack ad.
What ensues might play as just a simple power struggle plotline on a different show. But it is incredibly riveting because of how much Leslie’s argument with Ben over the idea of an attack ad says about both characters. Leslie and Ben are both good people, and both intelligent people. And although they are both a bit socially awkward, egregiously dorky, and madly in love with one another, they are very different people. In short, Leslie is an idealist and Ben is a cynic.
“I’m running for office? I’m surrounded by my friends? My campaign manager and I are in love? This is exactly how I dreamed it would be when I was a kid. Except, I wasn’t seventy points behind. And my campaign manager was Mr. Belvedere.” – Leslie
Leslie is a dreamer who assumes the best in everyone and everything, and in return always offers everyone and everything the best of herself. Ben, on the other hand, expects to be disappointed—we’ve seen that since he arrived in Pawnee. He didn’t want to get close to any of his coworkers because he assumed they’d be out of his life in no time. He is a pragmatic person, to a fault. In turn, he is not so much concerned with being “nice” in the creation of Leslie’s campaign ad as he is in obtaining results. But Leslie is a dreamer—also to a fault. All she wants is to spread positivity and help everyone. So, Leslie and Ben passionately disagree on whether or not a campaign ad should go negative.
So, Ben and Leslie split into two teams and create different ads. Ben and Jerry attack Bobby Newport’s flimsy campaign and inexperience, while Leslie, Ann and Donna give hotdogs to kids and make videos of Leslie jumping and talking about things she loves. Just a side-note: the scene of Ben, Jerry and Tom each practicing their best “attack ad narration voice” is very silly, but absolute gold. In the end, the entire team decides that Ben’s ad is superior, and Leslie concedes to let him play it during halftime at Pawnee’s biggest televised event, their high school basketball game against Eagleton.
However, Leslie’s guilt gets the better of her, and she intercepts Ben at the broadcast station and literally wrestles the ad out of his hands. Honestly, for someone running for office, she sure does seem to have no problem beating up a lot of her friends in public.
If I have one complaint about the storyline, it is the sudden jump that it seems to take from this scene to the conclusive element of Leslie and Ben compromising by running an ad comprised of Leslie’s old homemade campaign videos from when she was ten matched up with Bobby Newport’s actual campaign ads, contrasting the young Leslie Knope, favorably, with present day Bobby Newport. Ben convinces Leslie that she needs to toughen up to make it in the world of politics, which is a viable lesson, even if it’s one that sweet, idealistic Leslie would rather not embrace. However, her meeting with Bobby Newport after the airing of the ad convinces her that maybe Ben was right: Bobby complains that Leslie’s ad was mean, and that, being the self-entitled do-nothing that he is, insists she just “give” him the city council position by dropping out of the race. Leslie realizes that in order to do good for her town, she must defeat Bobby Newport. And in order to do that, she might have to get a little bit tough.
“Technically, I did smash my head area in the wall area.” – Andy
“He was hanging up his gold record.” – April
“The point is, I have a gold record.” – Andy
The April and Andy storyline is one of very little consequence, but a good amount of laughs. April escorts Andy from doctor to doctor, checking up on his cavalcade of medical problems, which include a minor concussion, a broken thumb, horrible vision, possibly damaged ankle bones, among many others. It’s actually pretty hilarious, given the fact that we’ve seen Andy live an incredibly reckless and unhealthy lifestyle, to see it all come into play.
“The important thing is, the dam is never happening, and your dream has been crushed.” – Ron
“We’re very sorry.” – Chris
“I am not. Good meeting.” – Ron
Chris Traeger tries to befriend Ron Swanson. When I read this synopsis before the episode, my heart skipped a beat. That alone is comic genius. And the manifestation is no disappointment: Chris brings Ron along to fill the “bad news guy” role that Ben used to play before he quit his job; Ron enjoys rejecting proposals to spend taxpayer money and crushing peoples’ dreams so much that he is willing to put up with Chris momentarily. However, Ron is put off when Chris insists on spending time with him socially (as one might expect), and he tries to avoid him. The dynamic here is especially funny to me since Chris is technically Ron’s boss, and Ron still has no reservation in telling him how much he does not want to be around him. At the end of the episode, Chris informs Ron that he is considering him as a possible replacement for Ben—which would mean a promotion, and the opportunity to reject proposals/squash dreams on a daily basis. Of course, we all know that Ron has a secret, special place in his heart for his Parks Department coworkers, so the last shot of Ron taking in this news is an in intriguing one that promises good things to come.
What did you think of this episode, and Paul Rudd’s performance? How do you think Parks and Recreation is handling Leslie’s campaign? Would you like to see Ron move onto a new job, or admit he loves his coworkers and stay on as head of the Parks Department? Let us know in the comments section, or on Twitter (@MichaelArbeiter).

You know what Kelly Ripa doesn't talk about enough? The Flash. For those of you in that mindset: fear not. The Live! host will be joined by Jim Parsons, the celebrated star of The Big Bang Theory. Parsons will be acting as guest host on Live! on Tuesday, Jan 3. But he's just the first star to kick off the week: Ripa will be joined by her husband Mark Consuelos, David Duchovny and Rob Lowe all in the week of Jan. 3 through Jan. 6. So, whether you're partial to the deadpan nerdiness of The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon (Parson), the hedonistic debonair of Californication's Hank Moody (Duchovny), or the literally-most-exciteable-person-on-Earth that is Parks and Recreation's Chris Traeger (Lowe), you'll be pleased by the first week of the Live! new year on. -TVLine
Nick Zano can be seen on 2 Broke Girls as the recurring character Johnny, a love interest for Max (Kat Dennings). But now, Zano will be stepping away from the filthy alleys of television's version of Brooklyn, and heading over to the golden streets of television's version of Los Angeles. Zano will be appearing on the CW series 90210 in a guest role this coming February. Zano will play P.J., an affluent do-nothing who might be undergoing a change in his value system when he meets Annie (Shenae Grimes). After Zano's character falls for the series' star, he might turn his life around and clean up his act. 90210 returns from hiatus on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. on the CW. -E Online
William Devane should be a name familiar to anyone with a history of watching operas. But now he'll be enjoying a stint on primetime television in ABC's Revenge. Devane will appear on the surprisingly thrilling new drama as Edward Grayson, the leader of the affluent Grayson family and father to Conrad (Henry Czerny). However, it is not his son who calls upon Edward for help, but Victoria, Conrad's soon-to-be-ex-wife (Madeleine Stowe). Devane will find his way to the Hamptons in February for a two-episode stint on the show. Revenge returns from hiatus on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. -EW

When it comes to television, there's no limit on the diversity of our opinions. Claim one show is the tops, and fans of copious other series will jump down your throat in an instant to make sure you know just how wrong you are. Don't you know Sofia Vergara's delivery takes far more effort than Jane Lynch's Grinchy Sue Sylvester? Don't you know that Johnny Galecki's whining can never match wits with Donald Glover's screaming-crying schtick over on Community? Don't you know that no one enjoyed that last episode of Entourage? (Okay, I think most of us are probably in agreement on that one.) The point is, television shows require a lot of devotion, so when you put one down, fans are bound to get riled. And seeing as we're mere days away from Television's biggest night -- The Emmys -- we'd like to take this opportunity to break down all the nominated series, pit them against eachother and crown our own winner. You may agree with us, you may disagree. But that's the beauty of Emmy season; we all get to defend our shows and hide our faces in shame when they're robbed of their well-earned golden trophies. So, without further ado, let's get ready to rumble, TV fans.
Click on the bracket for a larger version.
Round 1
Dexter vs. Game of Thrones
This one's almost too easy. Sure, we love Michael C. Hall as Dexter and we haven't forsaken the series, but last season was just a little subpar. Game of Thrones, however, burst onto television with a scope and fervor that we haven't seen before. The series broke new ground in television drama, while Dexter relegated itself to stale tricks. Game of Thrones moves on to the next round.
Boardwalk Empire vs. Friday Night Lights
This match-up is a bit more difficult. Boardwalk Empire takes us inside the well-crafted world of the Prohibition Era East Coast mobster. The drama is ripe and salacious with plenty of old timey charms to boot, but when you pit Steve Buscemi and company against Coach Taylor and his classic pep talks, the competition gets tough. The bootlegging ways of Boardwalk Empire are fun and the show is well-made, but it can't compare with Friday Night Lights' intimate, realistic, heartfelt portrayal of Middle America. Clear eyes, full hearts, FNL can't lose.
Glee vs. The Big Bang Theory
Here's another easy one. On one hand, you've got a consistently giggle-worthy show about a gang of nerds and their babely neighbor. On the other hand you have a show that used to be a riotous look at the world of a high school show choir. And therein lies the basis of our decision. The Big Bang Theory continues to garner laughs -- granted they're laughs that we've shared time and again, but they're laughs none the less. Glee lost its touch last season. Eschewing solid humor for unnecessarily complicated plotlines, one of the most promising, refreshing shows on television loosened a bit of its grip. We'll hand the K.O. to Big Bang this round.
30 Rock vs. The Office
It almost seems wrong to pit Tina Fey against Steve Carrell, but this isn't kindergarten play time, it's our all-important Emmys Deathmatch. And the fact of the matter is, any manner of antics on the fifth season of 30 Rock can't even pretend to match the pure emotion and humor in Michael's final episodes on The Office. While it's left us all uncertain of the show's future, it was a skillful goodbye and it gets the jump on Liz Lemon's plastic bag reveries.
Round 2
Game of Thrones vs.
Mad Men
This is a tough comparison, because now we're getting into shows that are wildly different from eachother. GoT is undoubtedly a fantastic series deserving of loads of recognition, but when Mad Men delivers the best season the show has seen after four seasons on television, you know there's some serious talent and television magic going on behind the scenes. Mad Men for the win, hands down.
The Good Wife vs. Friday Night Lights
This is another toughie. Both of these shows are recipients of widespread critical acclaim, and for good reason, but only one can continue. The Good Wife didn't score 10 Emmy nominations for no reason; the series is smart, sexy and engrossing. But what the CBS show is lacking is the incredible heart of Friday Night Lights. Maybe we're sentimenal because it's over, but there's just something far more powerful about a great show in its final season. The Good Wife is just hitting its stride and it's got seasons stretching out before it. FNL said farewell just as we'd hoped and that is a rare occurence that deserves our praise.
The Big Bang Theory vs. Modern Family
The Big Bang Theory is funny. We can admit that. But can it compare to the clever, gut-busting scenarios we find our favorite ambiguously Southern Californian family in week after week? It simply can't. Give me Gloria ordering a box of Baby Jesuses any day over Sheldon's snarky, nerdtastic insults. Big Bang's ensemble works, it really does, but Modern Family boasts one of the most talented, consistent ensembles on television, so it gets our vote.
Parks and Recreation vs. The Office
Here we have a contentious, almost Oedipal match. Parks and Rec started as a spinoff of The Office and many of us groaned at that notion. The Office didn't need a spinoff. It seemed a bit gratuitous and self-indulgent. But while our favorite workplace comedy slowed its roll and started to loose the sharp wit (though it's still somewhat funny) that we loved it for, Parks and Rec quickly stepped up its game to take The Office's place as the new NBC comedy du jour. And it keeps getting better. Season 3 far surpassed all of our expectations and I'm pretty sure I still have permanent injuries from laughing so heartily. Amy Poehler and company take the winner's seat.
Round 3
Mad Men vs.
Friday Night Lights
FNL has our hearts, but Mad Men has our minds, so much so that we're having trouble remembering what's in our hearts. While I want to give FNL the winning spot as a parting gift, this season of Mad Men was so subtly beautiful and well-done, like a man plucking an upright bass in some smokey, mahogany-laden bar room, that we're forced to give the AMC series the win. I'm like a secretary in the presence of Don Draper; the allure is irresistable.
Modern Family vs. Parks and Recreation
The Pritchetts and the Dunphys are certainly a wealth of comedy in their Wednesday night slot, but it really can't compare to the hodgepodge of government employees in Pawnee's Parks Department. Between the continuation of Ron Swanson's greatness, Leslie Knope's hilarious do-gooder ways, Tom Haverford's small town baller habits, and the addition of Rob Lowe's health nut and perfectionist Chris Traeger to City Hall, Parks has no where to go but up, and as much as I love Modern Family, it seems to stay on the same level, which is fine. It just means it loses this round to Parks.
Deathmatch: Final Round
Mad Men vs.
Parks and Recreation
Now comes the hard part: deciding whether a comedy or a drama gets to take home the ultimate (fake) Emmys Best Series title. In one corner, we have Mad Men, which with its sly, seductive ways strings us along through the daily intrigues surrounding the men and women of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. We have layered characters with struggles and inner demons that rarely ever express themselves outright, but are instead hinted at by characters' subdued behaviors, body language and even brief facial ticks. It's a show that demands every ounce of our attention -- and one that deserves ever last one of those ounces. But what about Parks? It's madcap; it's zany. Can it even compare to the Mad Mens of the world? Yes, I say. What Parks does that few other comedies manage to do (Modern Family is the next show capable of this feat) is that is manages to deliver the zany and the outrageous antics we come to expect from a sitcom and it weaves them ever so gently in with a depth of character that almost sneaks up on you. We aren't really thinking about how far under our skin these folks are because we're laughing too hard, but once things slow down a bit when the plot calls for it, we're suddenly hit over the head with how incredible they are. Parks touches all the bases and it does this without overexerting itself or losing any charm, momentum or depth. You can disagree with us (because there are many of you who are already shaking your heads and skipping to the bottom to find the comment section) but in our book, Parks and Recreation offered up the best season of television this past year.